chasing the blue flower

Playdates with God: Keeping Warm

It’s cold here, friends. Cold. And snow is blowing about like so much powdered sugar. I have two growing boys upstairs sleeping–home from school again. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the time we have left with them. I thought I’d plan a special breakfast. Maybe surprise them a bit. So I’ve pulled an old post from the archives today, hope you don’t mind. I’m going to have a little playdate right now. Love.

::

Last night after dinner the electricity went off. A white sky illuminated the night outside, silhouetting our usual and I stared at my laptop in the dark…no internet connection… the screen an island of light in the room. Our two boys clamored—wound up by darkness and excitement pulsed as their daddy lit candles and checked the weather on his iPhone.

We sat in the hush and listened to the wind blow the deck furniture around. It was late—after ten—so I tucked protesting boys in with a candle gently flickering—thinking of Little House on the Prairie and savoring the play of the warm glow on their still young faces.

I returned to the couch in the dark.

We sat in silence, he and I; listened to driving rain turn to gentle patter, watched the play of lightning on hills in the distance. For once, no hum of air conditioner, no mindless buzz of refrigerator, dishwasher was silent. All of our daily companions closed their eyes in this dark.

There was only the soft ticking of the mantle clock keeping time with faint strumming of droplets colliding with window, only to slide down and lose form in a streaky stream.

We giggled a little at our loss, wondered how did they do it? with no electricity…only talk to spend. We marveled at work-filled days and talk-filled evenings and fell in to silence.

I closed my eyes in the dark and felt God sitting beside.

Silence feels good to me. I find it by sitting still. By looking deeper into what is already here.

Always a solitary child, that’s me. I can fall into His arms in the quiet and never desire to leave. All my life this is where I have rested. Safe from jabbing words of others; hidden from wound-talk.

I know it’s not that way for everyone. And lately, besieged by life and fraught with hope, I’ve been wondering, Is there another way?

God is always the same, yes, this I know. But I have also come to learn that He loves to mix things up. He understands the human tendency to grow stale when patterns are established. He loves surprises. He likes to keep our love fresh and new. This year has been a crazy mixed up year for finding God for me. My years of early morning quiet time suddenly ceased to feel intimate. For the first time in years I found myself falling asleep with my cheek pressed to the dining room floor at 5 a.m.

It was time for something new.

I find God when I run. I feel Him in my legs, in my breath, in the acceleration of my beating heart. He meets me in the sky and the trees and the way the light changes colors on the horizon.

This morning when I ran, the storm was still fresh on the sidewalk. Fallen branches and stray leaves littered the street. The creek was rushing its banks and the smell of muddy water rose dense into the air around me. A handful of black crows perched on the utility wires above me, caw, caw, caw…

As my feet pounded the pavement, I remembered a poem a dear friend sent me. In it, she tells me that I am birdsong, and those words have lifted me on the darkest of days. My heart soars as I imagine music in my stride. And as I go on, I am lifted into its melody.

I fly away

singing—

flutter my

wings

through misty

windows

in the sky;

dip fingertips

in morning dew-

cups, silky

petals collect

evening honey,

and offer this

sweet frieze to

me in golden

shimmer of

dawn. I am

free. I am…

birdsong.

I grow when I look for Him in the not usual way. He loves for me to seek after Him in wild and beautiful ways. Writing poetry doesn’t seem so crazy a way to pray. Nor does running.

He’s there. He’s in it all.

How do you embrace the God-joy? Every Monday I’ll be sharing one of my Playdates with God. I would love to hear about yours. It can be anything: outside, quiet time. Maybe it’s solitary. Maybe it’s loud and crowded. Just find Him. Be with Him. Grab my button at the bottom of the page and join us:

The Playdates button:

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About Laura Boggess

I’m a morning person and happiest in a place with no walls. Give me a bed of grass and a blanket-sky and I will dream deep in wonder. But a good story takes me to this place too. And a poem? Even better. You can always find me here. Or connect with me on on facebook, twitter, or pinterest.

Comments

Laura – This softness and quiet – though written months ago – reflects so beautifully what is going on outside in our world. We can’t go out in it – we’d be frostbit within 10 minutes – but inside we work and wait and hope in quiet. It’s really quite lovely.

Oh, Laura, I can relate to this post. Sitting still and listening to His voice, walking the nature trails, seeing his hand at work, standing by the ocean’s edge, hearing His heartbeat in the rhythm of the waves, climbing a mountain peak, seeing the work of His hands–these are all ways I love to connect with God. Thank you for reposting. And I hope your boys loved your special morning playdate!

I am so glad that you shared this as I do not think I ever read this post. I, too, often find myself trying to keep “safe from jabbing words, hidden from wound-talk”. I also found myself praying that God would muzzle me at those times that I would release words which would have that affect on someone else. May we be still before Him & His Words, knowing that they are always the balm we need. Thank you so much for taking the playdate & pulling out an old post

Yes..yes…drink in these spontaneous moments…and I too maybe feel the most close to God when I run…there is the saying “pens have eyes”. Well what would be a good saying for running…legs and lungs ???? Maybe bring life…both spiritually and physically ….enjoy your day!!!!

I’m so glad these words spoke to you this morning, friend. Sometimes, I have to “run out” that kind of thinking. Somehow, the exercise also exorcises :). And, yes, I’ve prayed that same prayer also–that no harm will come from my words. Pray you are keeping warm where you are! Much love.

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And your words have filled my heart this morning, Nancy! Shame it’s so cold outside because you have me longing for an outdoor adventure :). I hope it is warmer where you are and you are able to enjoy God through His creation today.

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Well, the electricity did go off last night, Charity, but I didn’t go running this morning! I bit wimpy about cold and am perfectly happy to stay inside and do the elliptical on days like these. Well, maybe not perfectly, but it beats the alternative. Supposed to be the same tomorrow. Stay warm, my friend!

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Oh Laura, grab these special moments because you know they will soon be gone. This Mom knows that all too well! But on another of your thoughts in the previous post, I love the way God knows when we need things mixed up a little so we don’t feel stale. I’m flying high today because I was called to sub at my old school. Even though hubby and I are retired, I really miss my friends there and the routine of that every day. God is so good to give me a few days “to mix things up.” I’m glad he’s in control.Blessings,Janis

My kids have a two hour delay from school tomorrow and you would think they won the lottery, they’re are so excited to sleep in. Hope your morning was sweet and you’re staying warm. The weather is so wacky isn’t it?

Your lovely post reminds me of the song “A Living Prayer.” May everything we do be a prayer to Him — a new way to worship, praise and seek His face. Thanks for hosting & God bless,Lauriehttp://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/